Shisha seshes pack a punch

by Gwendolyn Goh

April 11, 2008

THE WA cancer council says smoking tobacco through a water pipe (or shisha) delivers as much smoke to the lungs as 100 to 200 cigarettes.

“Water pipe smoking sessions go for about an hour and the volume of smoke inhaled by the user is typically the same amount of smoke produced by smoking 100 to 200 cigarettes,” said Susan Stewart, who manages the cancer council’s Make Smoking History campaign.

The average session delivered the same amount of nicotine to the body as one packet of cigarettes, Ms Stewart added.

Originating from the Middle East, the shisha (pictured) has a head, body, water bowl and hose. Tobacco, which is often flavoured and sweetened, is placed with charcoal to burn on the head. The heat is filtered through the water bowl, which is then inhaled by the smoker through the hose.

“Shisha smoking is nothing compared to smoking cigarettes because it’s flavoured and has no harmful chemicals such as tar,” said Winthrop-based Clifford Lam who doesn’t mind a shisha sesh. “It gives off a fragrant smell and it’s more acceptable in social gatherings as it won’t turn people off.”

Shisha sessions range from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the user. Although still a minority pursuit in WA, imbibing is approaching craze status in North America and England.

Patrons of Aida cafe in Northbridge, and Cafe Sahara in Karawara, have been known to pass the shisha.

“I think people believe that by passing through water, some toxins are reduced,” Ms Stewart said. “Shisha doesn’t have the same unhealthy stigma that is commonly associated with cigarettes.”